| − | The '''Song of Solomon''' or '''Song of Songs''' is the twenty-second book of the Protestant Bible. It is classified, with ''Job'', ''Psalms'', ''Proverbs'', and ''Ecclesiastes'', as part of the "wisdom literature." It is a celebration of sensual love, expressed in lyric poetry. It is traditionally interpreted as an allegory representing the love of Christ for the Church. | + | The '''Song of Solomon''' or '''Song of Songs''' is the twenty-second book of the Protestant Bible. It is classified, with ''Job'', ''Psalms'', ''Proverbs'', and ''Ecclesiastes'', as part of the "wisdom literature." It is a celebration of sensual love, expressed in lyric poetry. It is traditionally interpreted as an allegory representing the love of Christ for the Church. However, it can also be interpreted as a literal representation of sexual desire. |
| | St. [[Bernard of Clairvaux]] wrote a cycle of sermons on the Song of Songs, which is regarded as one of the touchstones of Christian mysticism. | | St. [[Bernard of Clairvaux]] wrote a cycle of sermons on the Song of Songs, which is regarded as one of the touchstones of Christian mysticism. |